A survey of executives (n=341) responsible for hiring decisions found generally positive attitudes toward persons with severe disabilities and their employability, both in terms of advantages for the individual and lack of disadvantages for others in the work setting. Executives with previous contact with persons with disabilities had the most…

This article explores the impact of the mapping work of the Human Genome Project on individuals with mental retardation and the negative effects of genetic testing. The potential to identify disabilities and the concept of eugenics are discussed, along with ethical issues surrounding potential genetic therapies. (Contains references.) (CR)

Changes in labels for people with mental retardation over the years have not significantly impacted on negative attitudes toward this population. Recommended is selection of labels which are unambiguous in meaning, based on research on connotations of various labels, and based on preferences expressed by people with mental retardation and their…

A study examined the attitudes of 88 girls (ages 10-12) without disabilities, parents, and coaches toward the inclusion of a child with a disability in a regular fast-pitch softball league. Players and parents had a favorable attitude toward inclusion and modifying game rules. Coaches were undecided about inclusion and rule modifications.…

This article uses a short story by Jack London to discuss the classification of individuals with mental retardation and argues that mental retardation and its various definitions are manifestations of the typological thinking that inevitably creates a simplistic and misleading aggregation of people with very diverse needs and characteristics.…

The perspectives of 257 typical high school students about inclusion of students with disabilities in their school were evaluated through student group interviews. Students were supportive of inclusive education and indicated that their peers with disabilities added a dimension of diversity to the school and had become part of the learning…

This article recounts the historical discrimination against children with mental retardation and the extraordinary efforts made by parents of children with disabilities to speak out against the tide that dehumanized their children. The growth of national, state, and local Arcs and parent advocacy efforts are discussed. (Contains 5 references.) (CR)

Psychometric analyses of data from 230 individuals yielded a 29-item 4-scale revision of the original 50-item 5-scale Mental Retardation Attitude Inventory. Results showed adequate item characteristics; adequate reliability and homogeneity; adequate reliability, homogeneity, specificity, and independence of the four scales; and initial validity…

The Test of Knowledge about Mental Retardation was developed to measure attitudes, not knowledge. It consists of 20 error-choice items requiring respondents to select one of four incorrect alternatives. An additional 20 questions address general knowledge of mental retardation. Psychometric analysis indicates satisfactory item characteristics,…

Noting the Governor of Virginia's recent apology for his state's participation in eugenics, this article reviews the history of the sterilization of people with epilepsy and mental retardation in several states, and the importance of the Buck v. Bell (1927) Supreme Court decision in the promotion of eugenics. (Contains references.) (CR)

A review of how New England colonists viewed idiocy finds that for practical purposes, colonists defined idiocy in terms of incompetence in order to create a class of individuals who might qualify for protection under the laws. The influence of the beliefs of the Puritan preacher Cotton Mather is discussed. (Contains references.) (CR)

Discusses the history of differential treatment of individuals with mental retardation by those with other disabilities and details the life of Laura Bridgeman, a child with deaf-blindness, and her disdain for children whom she believed to be intellectually inferior. The social stigma of mental retardation is explored. (CR)

This article examines why it is difficult for individuals with disabilities to obtain dental services. It discusses inadequate preparation of dentists, cultural norms that create social, attitudinal, economic, and environmental barriers, and limited participation in the Medicaid dental program. The need for changes in dental school curricula is…

The 1988 attitudes of 191 undergraduate students toward persons with mental retardation were assessed and compared to a 1975 survey. Results showed a positive shift over the 13-year period. Exposure to a course on developmental disabilities and contact with individuals with mental retardation also improved students' attitudes. (Author/JDD)